African violet plant named Dominica

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Dominica characterized by its star-shaped, purplish blue flowers with white, wavy edges; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, oval to spear-shaped, serrated leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of African violet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Dominica.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selection process by the designation 911 and is a product of a planned breeding program. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made by me in the controlled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic of Germany. The female, or seed parent was a cultivar designated 2820. The male, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated Arizona III.

Dominica was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen, West Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings, as performed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Dominica has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. The following observations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grown in Haffen, West Germany and Nashville, Tenn. under greenhouse conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of Dominica, which in combination distinguish this African violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) Strong, upright flower stems curving slightly toward the center.

(2) Star-shaped, purplish blue flowers with wavy white edges.

(3) Profuse flowering.

(4) Each plant carries 8-12 and more upright flower stems each of which carries 8-12 and more flowers.

(5) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

(6) Vigorous grower.

(7) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting.

(8) Seed capsules push slightly through.

(9) Medium green, oval to spear-shaped, serrated leaves.

(10) After maturity the flowers dry off, and remain on the peduncle without becoming infected by botrytis.

Dominica is smaller in certain respects to Martinique disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,005. The color of the blooms of Martinique and Dominica--purplish blue with white edge--are similar. However, Dominica has star-shaped and larger blooms than Martinique.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimen plant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are as true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken under natural sunlight conditions at approximately 12 a.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., c.v. Dominica.

Parentage:

Male parent.--Arizona III.

Female parent.--2820.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristics through successive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 9 cm to 11 cm tall when grown in pots, and approximately 23-26 cm in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves:

General form.--Oval to spear-shaped.

Diameter.--60-65 mm wide and 70-75 mm long.

Texture.--Leatherlike.

Aspect.--Serrated, hairy, slightly shiny.

Veins.--Upperside: visible; underside: well pronounced, light green, shiny. On young leaves purplish red.

Color (upperside).--Yellow-Green Group 147 A.

Color (underside).--Greyed-Purple Group 186 A to B with touches of Greyed-Green Group 194 C.

Petiole.--Strong upright, purplish red, hairy.

Flowers:

Buds.--Bell-shaped, purplish, 7-8 mm just before opening.

Sepals.--Five (5). Color: Brownish green.

Calyx.--Shape: Funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy.

Peduncle.--Character: Strong upright, hairy. Color: Purplish-red.

Individual flowers.--Size: approx. 40 mm. Shape: Star-shaped with wavy edges. Color (upperside): Violet-Blue Group 93 B to A with white edges. Under cooler temperatures and more intensive lighting, the purplish blue color tends to intensify. Color (underside): Violet-Blue Group 94 C. Borne: Each flower stem carries 8-12 and more flowers on strong, upright peduncle that are free standing above the leaves, thereby forming a compact bouquet. Flowering habit: Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Five (5). Anthers: 5 composed of 10 anther cells, seed capsule pushes slightly through.

Filaments.--Yellowish green with purplish blue on edges, 3-4 mm long.

Pollen color.--Yellow Group 7 A.

Styles.--7-8 mm long, purplish blue, base of ovary light green and hairy.

Roots: Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownish when older.

Disease resistance: Good.

General observations: Dominica is an attractive, vigorous grower with medium green, oval to spear-shaped, serrated leaves. A tight bouquet of star-shaped flowers free standing above the leaves develops after approximately 10-11 weeks. Each of the 8-12 and more strong flower stems carries 8-12 and more purplish blue flowers with white, wavy edges. Occasionally, an additional small petal may develop in the center. The flowers are long-lasting and non-dropping and the seed capsules push slightly through. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Dominica, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by its star-shaped, purplish blue flowers with white, wavy edges; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, oval to spear-shaped, serrated leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers. 